Better Together

Summer can feel like a race to fit everything in - camps, clinics, workouts, open gyms, vacations, jobs, and more. But does being busier actually help athletes improve?

In this solo episode, Korohen challenges athletes and families to rethink what productive summer training really looks like. Instead of chasing every opportunity, he shares why the most successful athletes often focus on a few intentional goals, prioritize recovery, and stay committed to consistent growth.

• The difference between activity and true development
• Why athletes should focus on just 2–3 priorities
• The role recovery plays in performance and growth
• How social media can create unhealthy comparison
• What coaches are really looking for at evaluations
• A simple three-goal challenge for the rest of the summer

Whether you're preparing for evaluations, school season, or simply looking to make the most of your off season, this episode offers practical advice for building a summer that leads to long-term development - not burnout.

Continuing our conversation with United Birmingham Director Ryan Freeburg, we dive into recruiting, player development, exposure, and the future of volleyball in Alabama.

Ryan shares his perspective as both a club director and Division I coach, discussing what helps athletes get recruited, why exposure matters, the importance of skill development at younger ages, and the challenges that can come from prioritizing short-term results over long-term growth.

We also discuss confidence, attacking mechanics, communication, coaching philosophy, and Ryan's vision for year two of United Birmingham.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Ryan, we discuss:

• the current state of volleyball in Alabama
• recruiting and player exposure
• what college coaches are actually looking for
• the importance of high-level competition
• youth skill development
• confidence and long-term athlete growth
• winning now versus developing future players
• attacking mechanics and injury prevention
• communication between setters and hitters
• technical skills versus tactical strategies
• coaching philosophy and player development
• Ryan's vision for year two of United Birmingham

Whether you're an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation offers valuable perspective on what it takes to build better volleyball players over the long term.

One year after launching United Birmingham, we sit down with Club Director Ryan Freeburg to reflect on what the journey has been like so far.

Ryan shares the challenges and rewards of building a club from the ground up, creating a healthy environment for athletes and families, developing coaches, and establishing a culture centered around growth, trust, and teamwork.

We also discuss the unique landscape of volleyball in Birmingham, the importance of balancing individual goals with team success, and what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up.

This conversation offers an honest look at leadership, culture, communication, and the lessons learned throughout United Birmingham's first year.

In part two of our conversation with longtime coach Perry Robinson, we dive into the mental side of volleyball and athlete development.

Perry shares perspective on confidence, pressure, perfectionism, reset rituals, and what often holds athletes back mentally both in practice and competition. We also discuss overtraining, meaningful reps versus simply logging hours, coachability, leadership, and how coaches can better help athletes navigate mistakes and adversity.

This episode is full of practical insight and honest conversation for athletes, coaches, and parents alike.

Show Notes:

In Part 2 of our conversation with Perry Robinson, we explore:

• confidence and whether it can be trained
• helping athletes manage negative thoughts
• reset rituals and mental recovery during matches
• perfectionism in athletes
• meaningful reps vs overtraining
• what truly makes a player coachable
• leadership and player ownership
• balancing emotion and composure as a coach
• the mental side of competition and development
• building stronger athletes through communication and trust

Korohen and I recently sat down in Birmingham with longtime coach Perry Robinson, head coach at Pelham High School and coach for United Birmingham.

With nearly three decades of coaching experience across the college, club, and high school levels, Perry shares insight into how his approach to coaching has evolved over the years and why relationships, patience, and perspective matter so much in athlete development.

Throughout the conversation, we dive into player growth, navigating frustration, building trust with athletes, creating healthy team environments, and what both players and young coaches often overlook when it comes to long term development.

Perry shares:

• lessons learned through decades of coaching experience
• how his coaching philosophy has evolved over time
• the importance of patience and long term player development
• why consistency and showing up matter
• balancing structure, empathy, and accountability as a coach
• helping athletes navigate frustration and growth
• advice for younger coaches trying to find their footing
• why relationships and trust are such an important part of coaching

This episode is full of wisdom, honesty, and perspective for coaches, athletes, and parents alike.

Continuing our conversation with UAB Head Volleyball Coach Betsy Freeburg, she shares insight into the recruiting process from a Division I coach’s perspective, including what truly stands out during recruiting, the difference between potential and consistency, common mistakes athletes make, and what players can do to better prepare for the next level.

We also dive into the mental side of college volleyball, handling pressure and expectations, and the reality of transitioning from club and high school volleyball into the college game.

Betsy shares insight on:

• recruiting the person, not just the athlete
• what catches a coach’s attention during evaluation
• the difference between potential and consistency
• common recruiting mistakes athletes unintentionally make
• why exposure and fit both matter
• what college coaches are really looking for in highlight videos
• the mental transition from club volleyball to the college game
• how athletes can better prepare for the next level

This conversation is full of perspective and practical takeaways for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating the recruiting process!

In Part 1 of our conversation with UAB Head Volleyball Coach Betsy Freeburg, we sit down inside her office at UAB to talk through her journey from player to Division I head coach.

Betsy shares how she accidentally found volleyball, what led her to Florida, the adversity she faced early in her college career, and how those experiences ultimately shaped her into the coach and leader she is today.

We also dive into:

• the reality of playing at a high level
• handling setbacks and delayed success
• identity outside of sports
• the transition from player to coach
• leading a program during the uncertainty of 2020
• perspective shifts that changed the way she coaches today

This conversation is honest, reflective, and full of insight for athletes, parents, and coaches alike. Join us next week as we continue the conversation!

This week we’re bringing back one of our most helpful conversations around the college recruiting process with United coach Alicia Krichev.

If recruiting has ever felt confusing, overwhelming, or like you’re falling behind, this episode is for you.

We talk through what the process actually looks like today, including timelines, the impact of the transfer portal, and why most athletes don’t hear from coaches right away. Alicia also shares how families can stay grounded through it all, what really matters to recruiters beyond stats, and how to support your athlete without adding pressure.

Most importantly, this conversation is a reminder that every athlete’s path is different. There’s no one “right” timeline, and comparison will only take you out of your own journey.

If you’re an athlete or parent navigating recruiting, this is one to come back to.

In Part 3 of our conversation with UNA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre, we dive into the mental side of the game - and what truly holds athletes back from reaching their potential.

From comparison and perfectionism to confidence and identity, this episode explores the internal battles athletes face and how to work through them.

Coach Vandeperre shares honest insight on what he sees at the college level, how athletes can separate themselves mentally, and the importance of understanding who you are beyond your sport.

We also get into:

– Why comparison is one of the biggest traps in sports

– The danger of perfectionism and hesitation

– How to help quieter athletes find their voice

– What college coaches wish athletes understood earlier

– The role of identity in performance and confidence

– Whether energy can actually be coached

Plus, a rapid-fire segment packed with real, practical takeaways for athletes navigating their journey.

If you’re an athlete (or parent) trying to better understand the mental side of performance and recruitment, this is a must-listen.

In Part 2 of our conversation with UNA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre, we dive into the recruiting process, what actually matters to college coaches, and how athletes can better navigate the journey.

From debunking common myths about beach volleyball opportunities to breaking down what separates athletes at the next level, this episode is packed with insight for players and parents alike.

Coach Vandeperre shares how he evaluates athletes beyond just performance, why “joy” and mindset matter more than you think, and what athletes often get wrong when trying to get recruited.

We also explore:

– Beach vs. indoor skill translation

– What coaches notice (and what they don’t)

– How communication and partnership impact success in beach volleyball

– The importance of honesty and alignment in the recruiting process

If you're serious about playing at the next level - or just want a clearer understanding of what that path actually looks like, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Part 2 Highlights:

• The biggest myths about beach volleyball recruiting
• Why opportunities are more available than athletes think
• What coaches look for first
• The role of joy, resilience, and mindset in recruiting
• Honest conversations athletes need to have before committing
• Beach vs. indoor: what translates and what doesn’t
• The importance of communication in 2-person teams
• How great partners build confidence in each other